The winter swimming season is here!

Avantouimari kävelemässä jäälle varusteissaan – käsissään avantohanskat ja jaloissaan lämpimät avantosukat talvisessa maisemassa.

What is winter swimming?

Winter swimming is when you swim in ice-free water in temperatures below ten degrees Celsius. The winter swimming season in Finland is long, lasting around eight months. An ice water swim is usually a short dip of less than a minute in water with a hole cut in the ice on top. Ice swimmers compete up to the world championship level.

Winter swimming is a social and outdoor activity. Plunging into cold water stimulates the mind and body, reduces stress, boosts circulation, and helps recovery from hard training. Regular winter swimming is also thought to improve resistance. The cold also relieves joint pain and treats possible inflammation. Ice swimming, cold therapy and cold pools have long been popular with athletes.

Tips for winter swimming from the Finnish Swimming and Lifesaving Association, Suomen ladu and Kotiliesi.fi.

Health from winter swimming!

Here are the winter swimmer's instructions compiled in the Finnish Swimming Guide. Check out the full Winter Swimming Guide here.

Winter Swimmer's Instructions

1. Warm up your muscles well before entering the water, e.g. walking, gymnastics, kettlebell.

2. If you go swimming from the sauna, let your body cool down before swimming.

3. Take it easy, as walkways and stairs can be slippery.

4. Never jump head first into cold water.

5. Breathe calmly when entering the water, cold water can cause harmless respiratory blockages in the first few times.

6. For the first few times, only get wet and extend your swim time according to how you feel.

7. Dress warmly after swimming and drink plenty of lukewarm drinks.

8. Do not swim when you have consumed alcohol or are ill.

9. Take a friend with you.

10. If in doubt about the suitability of the sport for your health, discuss it with your doctor
.

The number of times you swim in cold water, the duration of your swim and whether or not you go to the sauna are individual choices. Listen to your own body,
and you'll know what's right for you.

Your child can try winter swimming too, if they
are keen!

Lämpimät ja vedenpitävät pohjepituiset avantouintisukat avantouimarin jaloissa järven rannalla. Avantouintisukat lisäävät avanotuinnin hyötyjä ja sopivat käytettäviksi erilaisissa avanto veden lämpötiloissa.

Equipment for winter and ice swimming

Winter swimming doesn't require big purchases, with a few well-chosen products you can go a long way. Here you will find all our products for the open water.

As a winter swimmer, it's important to remember safety and proper equipment:

- From our comprehensive range, you'll find the right swimsuits for men and women. Our range of swimwear includes a wide selection of swimsuits for all ages, from men to women.

- Neoprene swim shoes or swimming socks do not need to be removed when entering the water. Neoprene keeps your feet warm.

- Neoprene swimming gloves also protect your hands from the cold.

- A water bottle is a must to maintain adequate hydration. Be sure to sip water generously when taking a sauna or winter swim to avoid dehydration.

- Protect your head with a hat or other headgear, as it is hot in the sauna and the heat in the water evaporates through your head.

- After a winter swim, it is important to dress warmly to avoid catching a cold.

And most importantly, enjoy the refreshing feeling that winter swimming gives you.

Lämpimät ja vedenpitävät avantouintihanskat uimarin käsissä ulkoilmassa. Avantuintihanskat sopivat käytettäviksi eri avanto veden lämpötiloissa.

Neoprene gloves

Neoprene gloves are another thing that many people think makes open swimming more meaningful.

Just like the ankles, the wrists are also easily the point that swimming in cold water starts to force, even if otherwise open swimming seems meaningful. However, with enough pads and long gloves, you can also avoid this feeling and maintain the pleasure of swimming.

Just like neoprene socks, the effect of gloves is also based on a thin layer of water warmed by the skin. Therefore, it is also necessary to choose a sufficiently grippy glove for these.

Speedon läpinäkyvä vesipullo avantouinti käytössä järven rannalla. Avantouintivarusteet tuovat lisähyötyjä avantouintiharrastukseen.

Other equipment

Other equipment needed for open swimming is:

Water bottle - Don't forget this, because the fluid lost during open swimming and sauna should always be replaced. So keep a water bottle with you in your open swimming bag, which you can use to replace the lost liquid.

Beanie - To even out extreme temperature fluctuations in open swimming, it would always be good to remember to wear a beanie. Alternatively, you can also use, for example, a felted sauna hat, which you can wear both in the sauna and in the open air.

Swimwear - In our selection you can find swimwear for both men and women. You can learn more about choosing a swimsuit here. Most of the swimsuits withstand not only swimming but also saunas, but swimwear containing 100% polyester definitely withstands continuous saunas the best.

Frequently asked questions about open swimming

What is the benefit of open swimming?

Experienced open water swimmers often find that open water swimming relieves stress and improves sleep quality. Cold exposure accelerates blood circulation and helps the body recover. The experiences of open swimming are very personal, but often the most relaxed feeling is obtained by combining open swimming with a sauna!

What equipment is needed for open swimming?

In open swimming, you can start with only a swimsuit and a towel. If you would like to spend longer periods of time in the water or feel that your fingers or toes get cold easily - check out our open products !

How is open swimming equipment used?

You can put on neoprene opening socks and opening gloves before going to the sauna or opening. You can put the best products on dry skin. If you wish, you can keep your socks and gloves on during the entire sauna and outdoor trip, and you don't have to take them off between sauna and outdoor immersion.

Please note that Aqua Socks neoprene swimming socks do not have a puncture-proof bottom, so we recommend moving between the sauna and the opening with care.

Where are the ice swimming spots?

You can explore the vacancies in your own hometown by city. Read more about the vacancies we recommend !

Who can practice ice swimming?

Open swimming can be enjoyed by anyone! However, a visit to Avnto is recommended for basically healthy adults. Starting the hobby should be started with small steps, so that the body gets used to cold swimming.